Afghan Forces Take Security Lead for Entire Nation

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2013 - Afghans now are in the lead for security
throughout their country, and this inflection point points the way toward a
stable nation, the commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said
today.

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. told Pentagon reporters via a phone
hook-up from the Afghan capital of Kabul that the nature of the relationship
between Afghanistan and NATO has changed.

Today's achievement of "Milestone 2013" is a long-anticipated development,
the general said. U.S., NATO and partner nations have carried the security
burden in Afghanistan since 2001. Behind that shield, the Afghan government
recruited, equipped and trained soldiers and police to take the security
responsibility. Afghan forces took the security job in more and more of the
country until today, when they assumed the lead for combat operations throughout
the country.

"This is a source of great pride for the Afghan people and the Afghan
security forces, and, frankly, it's also a great source of pride for members of
the coalition," Dunford said.

American, NATO and partner nations made this day possible, and wounded
warriors from the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy were present as
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
made the announcement this morning.

The change means U.S., NATO and coalition troops are no longer conducting
unilateral operations. There are exceptions, however. NATO-commanded forces do
conduct security operations, route clearance operations and operations conducted
for retrograde movements, Dunford said. "The only operations that are being
planned and conducted against the enemy are being conducted with the Afghans in
the lead," he said.

"As we mark Milestone 2013, I'm confident in the overall direction of the
campaign," Dunford said. "I believe the Afghans are, in fact, ready to take the
lead right now. I believe they'll be able to run and secure the elections in
2014. And I believe we'll be ready to effect full transition in December of
2014."

Sustaining Afghan progress is the focus now, he said. Command and control,
air support, intelligence and equipment and instruction for countering
improvised explosive devices are crucial capabilities for the Afghan national
security forces.

"We're working hard to mature the systems, the processes and institutions
that are going to allow the Afghans to become fully self-reliant in the days
ahead," Dunford said.

The key to the future is integrating the capabilities of the Afghan army and
police across the spectrum, the general said.

The way ahead is charted. Through the end of 2014, coalition forces will
continue to work to train, advise and assist Afghan forces. Coalition forces
will continue to provide support, including limited medical evacuation for
forces and will continue to train and mentor leaders and units.

The Afghan military must medevac their wounded using their own assets. The
Afghan air force has Mi-17 helicopters and ground evacuation capabilities. The
service is getting smaller cargo-style aircraft that could also help transport
wounded troops.

The Afghan military has paid a price for the security lead. In some weeks,
officials said, Afghan forces lose between 100 and 120 troops, and NATO and
Afghan forces are examining the situation. IEDs cause the greatest number of
casualties, and Afghan forces are working to use counter-IED equipment and to
learn the tactics, techniques and procedures to minimize casualties.